Link to a very well written and cogent article on begging.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk ... ce-begging" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting and revealing to note the opprobrium such opinions garner from critics on the left of politics.

What's left wing views and what's right wing views?

Well, if you read the article it will tell you the (very) generalized views widely attributed and reported from the polar landscapes of our political spectrum.

Read the article!

I have..

So a left wing person doesn't give change to beggars?

If I gave a quid to each one I pass on the way to and from work in Leeds, I'd have to give up a Friday night in the Golden Fleece!

"With drug-related deaths hitting record levels in England and Wales in recent years, combined with cuts to drug addiction services and a nine per cent cut to local authority health budgets over the next three years, all the conditions are in place for things to get a lot worse."

Right or Left ?

I genuinely don't know what right or left means in regard to this.

Can you be in the middle?

There is a bloke in the tunnel between the bus station and the bingo place.

About half the time on my way to the ground I give him some loose change.

Seen that man. Had a dog a a girl with him last game.

Also one near staples, had a Burnley hat on, must pray for a clarets win.

So can anyone clear up the right and left thingy.

"With drug-related deaths hitting record levels in England and Wales in recent years, combined with cuts to drug addiction services and a nine per cent cut to local authority health budgets over the next three years, all the conditions are in place for things to get a lot worse."

Right or Left ?

Sensible observation, neither right nor left.

Google it, and if the description is correct I'm 80% right I'd say.

Are we racist yet?

Who?

Can we look at why there are more people homeless and begging nowadays...

Because they have no house and/or jobs?

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Can we look at why there are more people homeless and begging nowadays...

Various reasons for homelessness, but lack of social housing will be one.

Begging - some people actively make a career out of it, there used to be someone who travelled from Preston to London on the train to beg everyday or week.
Others beg when they're already on benefits with a roof over their heads, but usually to fund their drug habit.
There are some who have no other option because they're jobless and homeless.

You can usually spot the fakers. In London they only appear at rush hour, don't have so much as a bag to their name and usually sit near cashpoints. Also seen em sitting in the rain when there's perfectly good shelter 10 yards away, just for max sympathy

Nice too see Danczuk writing an article, rather than trying to be a celebrity or texting under age girls.

In response to the article, there are a lot of things in the which make sense
We had a thread on homelessness after the Utd game, when people noticed the staggering increase of people who are on the streets and the begging problem is definitely on the increase.

I agree with what is being said in the article and as others have commented, is there a left or right angle to it or is the writer just highlighting a more and more common societal problem.

Difficult subject.
Middlesbrough did a story last week on 9 beggars. Everyone of them claimed to be homeless, none of them were, and everyone of them was a drug addict.
I feel sick when I pass them in the street, my heart wants to give them something, but my head tells me I'd only be making the problem worse.

Rowls, so do the 80% with homes build their own air conditioning unit?

Prehaps hhe increase in begging is as a result of it being a very good earner.
Instead of giving cash why not give food or non acholic drink instead,and see what reaction you get.
18 months ago I gave a lunch meal deal I got from Boots to a beggar outside the store and he swore at me and tossed my gift to one side.
What they want is cash for drugs or alcohol.
Since that episode I will never give again,guedd it was a wake-up call to me.
Guess that makes my views right wing.
If all you lefties want to feel good snout yourselves why not contribute monthly by direct debit to a registered charity.

I'm taking notes in order to perfect my style.

There is a guy who often sits outside Iceland near the hospital. My wife will never give him money, but what she does do is buy him something to eat at least that way you know the money is not going on ale or drugs.

Does anyone remember when the OP was whining about identity-politcs?

Giving to local homeless charity's and food banks are far more beneficial than cash to beggars.
£1 to a food bank/charity will feed more people and do more good than giving £1 to a beggar.

In Manchester I always give food or soft drinks if giving. Loads of shops do buy 1 get 1 free on drinks etc, so for the journey back I usually stock up and always pick food/drinks on BOGOF or 2 for x amount. It enables me to give the other half away at no extra cost to me.

paulatky wrote:Prehaps hhe increase in begging is as a result of it being a very good earner.
Instead of giving cash why not give food or non acholic drink instead,and see what reaction you get.
18 months ago I gave a lunch meal deal I got from Boots to a beggar outside the store and he swore at me and tossed my gift to one side.
What they want is cash for drugs or alcohol.
Since that episode I will never give again,guedd it was a wake-up call to me.
Guess that makes my views right wing.
If all you lefties want to feel good snout yourselves why not contribute monthly by direct debit to a registered charity.

I considea myself right wing in the main. I often buy coffee and sandwiches for beggars in Newcastle. The ones I see look like they are virtually on deaths door no doubt due to drug addiction. I have never had any food refused.

I never give money but if I see homeless people near to a place I can buy food, then I'll pop in and get them some food and a drink. Same financial value but it's not gonna feed a drug habit.

Shouldn't lose sight of the fact that some people can find beggars intimidating. I had to step in on one occasion and help a young woman who was being harassed by a beggar. I could see she was getting a bit upset by his persistent requests for money so I asked him politely to stop and was sadly met by a torrent of abuse.

What is homeless? Is it not having a house, a tenancy in your own name or roof over your head? Is someone "sofa surfing" at z friends homeless?

Should someone who is begging whilst they have a home, revive housing benefit etc and refuses offers of assistance with drug issues be treated differently to someone who is sleeping under cardboard and has such a chaotic lifestyle that they have no income?

How many of the regular beggars in Burnley are there through desperate circumstance rather than choice?